A mother was left furious after her two-year-old son returned from nursery with painful burns from a staff member dragging him across a carpet.

Police are now investigating an allegation of assault after little Archie Joslin suffered the painful injuries at Orchard House Nursery in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

His mother Hannah Callaghan, 25, was horrified when the the youngster was left crying out in pain as she attempted to bathe him on August 3.

Earlier in the day, the mother-of-one was told her son had suffered minor injuries during an accident while playing with another child.

Police are now investigating an allegation of assault after little Archie Joslin (pictured, left with his mother Hannah) suffered the painful injuries at Orchard House Nursery in Tamworth, Staffordshire

His mother Hannah Callaghan, 25, was horrified when the the youngster was left crying out in pain as she attempted to bathe him on August 3

But late in same evening she was shocked to discover that the tot had painful burn marks down his back.

The health and safety manager demanded a full investigation into the incident and 'felt sick' when they confessed that a teacher was responsible on August 7.

The heartbroken mother has since removed him from the nursery, which cared for him from 7.30am till 6pm five days a week and contacted police.

Hannah, of Tamworth, said: 'The whole incident has been devastating.

'As a young, single mum who works, you have to put your faith in these people that they will be professional and look after your child.

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'I picked up him up on the day of the incident, and a member of staff took me to one side and told me that he had been involved in an accident while playing with another pupil.

'They told me that he had a small red mark on his back, but that the health and safety forms had been filled in and it was nothing to worry about. They're professionals, and I trusted their judgement.

'When I bathed him later on in the evening, I found out that I shouldn't have done.

'There was a red mark right the way down his back, which looked to be very painful for such a young child.

The health and safety manager demanded a full investigation into the incident and 'felt sick' when they confessed that a teacher was responsible on August 7

'When I asked him who did it, all he ever said was 'big girl'.

'He was trying to tell me the truth, but he couldn't vocalise it properly as he's so young.

'The fact that they had been dishonest about the extent of his injuries angered me, and I went in on the Monday to demand that they investigate it.

'It was at that point that I was taken to one side, and told that, in fact, they'd looked at the CCTV and a member of staff had dragged him.

'I was absolutely stunned and devastated.

'They told me that it was completely accidental, and that the staff member had been playing with Archie and had unwittingly hurt him.

'But judging by the extent of the injuries, it must have been a stiff carpet.

'It's just common sense that you wouldn't do that to a child.

'As soon as I left the school, I phoned the police to inform them and withdrew him from the nursery.

'But the damage has been done. I'm not sure if I can trust anyone with my child again now.'

Orchard House Nursery was given an 'outstanding' rating in its latest Ofsted report in November 2014

Nusery owner Susan Carr said: 'A recent incident involving a child who received accidental friction burns whilst playing on a carpet, was the subject of an immediate investigation and all appropriate authorities including social services and Ofsted have been kept fully informed.

'Appropriate action has already been taken to ensure the children attending our nursery continue to receive the highest standard of care.

'The welfare of children attending Orchard House Nursery is always the first and paramount consideration of our management and staff.

'We are always keen to maintain the excellent safeguarding standards which are in place and reflected by our excellent record of child safety.'

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police confirmed they were also aware of the incident

Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for children and young people Mark Sutton said: 'Our children's services team was given the details of this incident last week.

'The nursery is now completing an internal investigation with the continued support of ourselves and Ofsted.'

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police confirmed they were also aware of the incident.

He said: 'We have received an allegation of assault against a two-year-old at a Tamworth nursery.

'A joint investigation has commenced between the police and social services..'

Orchard House Nursery was given an 'outstanding' rating in its latest Ofsted report in November 2014.

The inspectors claimed that 'staff have an excellent understanding of how to effectively safeguard children and foster their emotional well-being exceptionally well.'